Thread guide racking mechanism



July 8,- 1947- R. c. AMlDoN 2,423,433

Y THREAD GUIDE RAGKING MEGHANISM Original Filed AOo'cwl. 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 1 wuwvbofo, Hoy

July 8, 1947. R c AMlDoN THREAD GUIDE RACKING MECHANISM original Filedoct. 1e. 1945 2 shets-shee-n 2 Hoy C Amido,

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Patented July 8, 1947 THREAD GUIDE EACKING MECHANISM Roy C. Amidon,Reading, Pa., assignor to Vanity Fair Mills, Inc., Reading, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Original application October 16, 1943,Serial No. 506,561. Divided and this application April 23,

1945, Serial No. 589,859

(Cl. (i6-86) 21 Claims.

1 My invention which relates generally to warp knitting machines,particularly has reference t the means for racking the thread guides ofsuch machines.

MOF@ SDeCiflCallY it is an ObJ'eCt 0f my present 5 attached to it at oneend. The back racking bar invention to improve the racking means used onalso has a similar tting |08 at the correspondtricot machines and tothat end the thread guide ing end. Mounted, one above the other, in thebars are actuated in-their racking movement by brackets are shafts |09,||0, the shaft ||0 a pattern wheel or cam and a racking lever so beingthe master pattern wheel shaft, and the as to move the guide bar in onedirection while shaft |00 being a shaft on which the racking leveanother pattern wheel or cam moves the same bar in the other direction,one pattern wheel or cam acting as a counter or follower for the otherpattern wheel or cam, the acting cam being supported, in addition to itscounter, by spring pressure. The connections between the racking leverand the guide bar are so arranged that there is a direct contact betweenthe two so that when the bar is moved in one direction it is pushed andheld in position by its counter connection and in the reverse directionit is pulled and held in position by its pushing support.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part bepointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid object and ends the invention stillfurther resides in the novelA details of construction, combination andarrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in thefollowing detailed description, and then be particularly pointed out inthe appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a warp-knitting machineembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same on a reduced scale.

Fig. 3 is a detail section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings in which like letters and numerals of reference indicatelike parts in all the figures, I designates an end frame of the machineand 3 the longitudinal pipes that connect the end frames together.

Vertical longitudinally disposed brackets 5 are secured on the end frameI shown in Figs.

is swingably and reciprocatingly mounted is shown at I3 in Figs. 1 and2.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that the racking bar|00 has a fitting |01 ers ||9 and |20 are rockably mounted. The shafts||0 and are geared together by spur gears ||2 and the shaft I0 is drivenfrom cam shaft 6 through worm gears I3 and I4. ||5 indicates the masterpatterr wheel and I0 the follower pattern wheel which Contact,respectively, the rollers |3I and |32 on the yoke |29 of the lever H9.The rollers |33 and |34 on the yoke |30 of the lever |20, cooperate,respectively, with the master pattern Wheel ||1 and follower patternwheel ||8 (Fig. 2) on the shaft H0. A longitudinally adjustableconnecting rod |2| has one end pivoted at |22 to the lever ||9 and itsother end pivoted at |23 to the fitting |01. A twopiece push rod |24having a turnbuckle connection 2|3 has its ends of semi-spherical shapeto lit corresponding sockets in the lever H9 and in the tting |01 (seedotted lines 2|5 in Fig. 3). By this construction any play which mighttake place between the lever I9 and the front thread guide frame can betaken up. A longitudinally adjustable connecting rod |25 is pivoted atone end, as at |20, to the lever |20 and at the other end, as at |21, tothe fitting |08 of the back thread guide bar (Fig. 1). A two piece pushrod |28, having a turnbuckle 2I4, has its semi-spherical ends set intocorresponding sockets, (similar to the rod |24) in the lever |20 and thefitting The yokes |29 and |30 each carries two slide rods |38 havingrollers |31 and springs |30 which constantly force the rollers intocontact with take-up cams and |30, respectively.

Referring again to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the connecting orpull rod |2| is oset.4 The offset portion 2|9 is apertured as indicatedby dotted lines 2 20 in Fig. 3, and the rod |24 passes through theaperture. f 'A v Power is applied by any well known or suitable means(not shown) to shaft 0 as a rst motion shaft of the machine.

From the foregoing description taken in 'connection with theaccompanying drawings it will be seen that the racking movements takeplace by positive push pull actions, without the use of pull-backsprings and is at all times free from lost motion or back lash, thusproviding for uniform racking in both directions, and it is thought theconstruction, operation and advantages ol my invention will'be clear tothose skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described, where in a thread guide bar isracked; means for racking said bar, which means include,v `a pattern'wheel shaft, pattern-wheels 'on said shaft; a` piv" oted racking leverhaving a'yoke'topass'said pattern-wheel shaft and a second shaft passingthrough said yoke, gears connecting saidshafts, cams on said secondshaft,`spring presse i rollers carried by said yoke to engage said camsonopposite sides of said second shaft, and a connec, tion from saidracking lever to the thread guide bar,

2; In a'iiat knittingmachine employing knock'- oversinkers; needlesandthre'a'd guides: a thread guide racking mechanism which'includes a'reciprocatablethread guide'carrier; a racking lever; a plush-tpullconnection between said lever said carrier; afpattern wheel shaft; apair of pattern wheels on sai-d shaft; a roller on' said lever forengaging lone `pattern wheel and another roller o sai'd'lever forengaging theother pattern wheel aththe side" of thel pattern wheel'4shaft opposite the flrst'roller, byrvir'tuefof all'of which'the threadguide carrierisfalternately" pushed in one direction a'ndipulledin theopposite direction for rack'- ing. purpQSeS. Y

an `kr'iiitirlig" nmiliiiieY employing knock-over sinlrers, needles andlvthread guides; a thread guider-aching mechanism whichv includes' aYrecip rocatablethread guide carrier; a racking lever; la push-'pullconnection between said lever and said carrier, said pushfpullcori'nectqioriincludingY a longitudinally adjustable'qoiiiieting rodriveted to sai'dl'ever andto saidearrier; a'ipattern'wheel shaft; a pairo f pattern wheel'slon said shaft; a roller on" sa'id lever for engagingone pattern anether roller yon said'lever for engagthe otl'1e'r-pai'ftern wheel at the" side of the pattern wheel shaftoppositev thefr'st roller, by virtuekoi; all` of which the' threadguide' carrier isjaltegrn rely pushedfiiif one" direction sndpulled intheI opposite'v diretion `for racking purposes'.

A 4.' knitting' machine" employing knock-over sinlers, needles andthreadguides: thread guide 1'aelr'i'r1gJ `rr'iecha'nism which includes areciprocatable' thread guide" carrier;Y a racking lever; a pushpullconr'letion between saidleverand said long' liidiiisilly adjustableconnecting" rod pivted to said' lever and to said carrier, and a" secondrod seated at one end in said lever` and at its other end i saidcarrier;a pattern'-wheel sha ft; a' pair opattern virhe'els'c'in` said shaft; aIroller` on said lever for engaging one ,or sairpattrnf wheels andanotherroll'e on'fsaidlever 'for engaging the other pattern .wheel atthe side of the p attern wheel shaft opposite the ii'rst roller, byvirtueof all of whlchlthethrea'd guidelcarrieris alternately pushed inone direction and pulled in the opp-oei'te direction for raclingpurposes.

5; Inl a' knitting machine employing knocki-'over slnliers, needles andthread guides: a thread guide racking mechanism which includes areciprocate;- ble'threadguide carrier; a racking lever; a; pushpullconnection'between` said lever and saidcarrier; saidY push-pull"connection comprising a pull rod' connected to'said lever at one end andto said carrier at the other end, and a push rod held beig' saldi nils-pull connecties including a tween and engaging said lever and saidcarrier and located adjacent said pull rod; a pattern wheel shaft; apair of pattern wheels on said shaft; a roller on said lever forengaging one pattern wheel and another roller on said lever for engagingthe other pattern wheel at the side of the pattern wheel shaft oppositethe first roller, by virtue of all of which the thread guide carrier isalternately pushed in one direction and pulled inthev opposite directionfor racking purposes.

r 6.v Inv a knitting machine employing knock-over Sinkel-s, needles andthread guides: a thread guide racking mechanism which includes areciprocatable thread guide carrier; a racking lever; apushpullconnection between said lever and said cai fier, said pushpullconnection comprising a pull rod connected to said lever at one end andto said carrier at the other end, a push rod held between and engagingsaid lever and said carrier and located adjacent saidV pull rod; meanslfor taking up wear in said push-pull connections; a pattern wheel shaft;a pair of pattern wheelson said shaft; a roller on said lever forengaging one of said pattern wheels andY another roller on said leverfor engaging the other of said pattern wheels at the side of the patternwheel shaft opposite the first roller, by virtue of all of which thethread guide carrier is alternately pulled inone direction and' pushedin the opposite direction foY racking purposes. Y Y

7. In a knitting machine employingajreciprocatable thread guide carrierbar: the improvement which includes a racking lever; a push-pullconnection between said lever andv said carrier bar, said connectionincluding a push bar and a pull bar and means for taking up lost motionbetween said bars and saidvlever andrsaid carrier bar; and positivelyacting means tov rockv said lever two directions to rack the threadguide.

8. In aknitting machine employing a reciprocatable thread guide carrierbar: the improve ment which includes aV racking lei/er;- a push-pullconnection between said lever and said bar; positively acting means torock said lever in two directions' to rackv the thread guide carrierbar,said positively acting means including a'patterrl wheel shaft, twooppositely disposed pattern wheels on said shaft,y a roller on saidlever to engage' each patternv wheel, whereby said lever is ioclzedinboth directions by said pattern wheels, thereby to impart, alternatelyyapush and a pull on saidcarrier bar.

9. In aknittingY machine employing a reciprocatable thread guide carrierbar: the improvement which includes a racking lever; a push-pullconnection between saidv lever and said' bar; a pattern wheel shaft; twooppositely disposed pat'- tern wheels on said shaft; a roller onsaidlever for engaging each pattern wheel, whereby said lever is'rockedin both directions by said pattern wheels to impart, alternately,apushand a pull on" saidv carrier bar; and means continuously acting tomaintain said rollers in contact with their respective pattern wheels,

l0. In a knitting machine employing greci-procatable thread guidecarrier bar:` the' improvement which includes a racking lever; apush-pull connection between said lever and said bar;l posiu tivelyacting means to rock4 said lever in two directions to raclthe threadguidecarrier bar, said positively actingV means including' pattern wheelshaft, two oppositely disposed pattern wheels on said shaft, a roller onsaid lever to engage each pattern wheel7 whereby said lever is rocked inboth directions by said pattern wheels,

thereby to impart, alternately, a push and a pull on said carrier bar; asecond shaft geared'to said pattern wheel shaft; a cam on said secondshaft; and spring pressed rollers on said lever engaging said cam atopposite places, by virtue of which any wear in the pattern wheels iscompensated.

11. In a knitting machine employing a reciprocatable thread guidecarrier bar: the improvement which includes a racking lever; a push-pullconnection between said lever and said carrier bar, said push-pullconnection including a longitudinally adjustable connecting rodpivotally connected at one of its ends to said lever and at its otherend to said carrier bar, and a longitudinally adjustable push rodbetween and engaging said lever and said carrier bar; and positivelyacting means to rock said lever in two directions to rack the threadguide carrier bar.

12. In a knitting machine employing a reciprocatable thread guidecarrier bar: the improvement which includes a racking lever; a push-pullconnection between said lever and said carrier bar, said push-pullconnection including a longitudinally adjustable connecting rodpivotally connected at one of its ends to said lever and at its otherend to said carrier bar, and a longitudinally adjustable push rodbetween and engaging said lever and said carrier bar; and positivelyacting means to rock said lever in two directions to rack the threadguide carrier bar, said positively acting means including a patternwheel shaft, two oppositely disposed pattern wheels on said shaft, aroller on said lever to engage each pattern wheel, whereby said lever isrocked in both directions by said pattern wheels, thereby to impart,alternately, a push and a pull on said carrier bar.

13. In a knitting machine employing a reciprocatable thread guidecarrier bar: the improvement which includes a racking lever; a push-pullconnection between said lever and said carrier bar, said push-pullconnection including a longitudinally adjustable connecting rodpivotally connected at one of its ends to said lever and at its otherend to said carrier bar, and a longitudinally adjustable push rodbetween and engaging said lever and said carrier bar; a pattern wheelshaft; two oppositely disposed pattern wheels-on said shaft; a roller onsaid lever for engaging each pattern wheel, whereby said lever is rockedin both directions by said pattern wheels to impart, alternately, a pushand a pull on said carrier bar; and means continuously acting tomaintain said rollers in operative contact with their respective patternwheels.

14. In a knitting machine employing a reciprocatable thread guidecarrier bar: the improvement which includes a racking lever; a push-pullconnection between said lever and said carrier bar, said push-pullconnection including a longitudinally adjustable connecting rodpivotally connected at one of its ends to said lever and at its otherend to said carrier bar. and a longitudinally adjustable push rodbetween and engaging said lever and said carrier bar; means to rock saidlever two directions to rack the thread guide carrier bar, said meansincluding a pattern wheel shaft, two oppositely disposed pattern wheelson said shaft, a roller on said lever to engage each pattern wheel,whereby said lever is rocked in both directions by said pattern wheels,thereby to impart, alternately, a push and a pull on said carrier bar; asecond shaft geared to said pattern wheel shaft; a cam on said secondshaft; and spring pressed rollers on said lever engaging said cam atopposite places, by virtue of which wear on the pattern wheels iscompensated.

15. In a knitting machine: a longitudinally reciprocating andtransversely moving racking bar; a racking lever; a pattern wheel shafthaving pattern wheels for positively swinging said lever in twodirections; rollers on said lever engaging said pattern wheels, oneroller engaging one of said pattern wheels at one side of the axis ofsaid shaft and the other roller engaging the other pattern wheel at theother side of the axis of said shaft; and a push-pull connection betweenlever and said racking bar.

1d. In a knitting machine: a longitudinally reciprocating andtransversely moving racking h r; a racking lever; a pattern wheel shafthavpattern wheels for positively swinging said lever in two directions;rollers on said lever engaging said pattern Wheels; and a push-pullconnection between said lever and said racking bar, said push-pullconnection comprising a pull rod pivoted at one of its ends to saidlever and at its other en d to said racking bar, and a push rod engagingsaid lever at a point above the pivotal connection of the pull rod tosaid lever and engaging said racking bar at a point below the pivotalconnection of the pull rod to said bar.

17. In a knitting machine: a longitudinally reciprocating andtransversely moving racking bar; a racking lever; a pattern wheel shafthaving pattern wheels for positively swinging said lever in twodirections; rollers on said lever engaging said pattern wheels; and apush-pull connection between said lever and said racking bar, saidpush-pull connection comprising a pull rod pivoted at one of its ends tosaid lever and at its other end to said racking bar, and a push rodengaging said lever at a point above the pivotal connection or" the pullrod to said lever and engaging said racking bar at a point below thepivotal connection of the pull rod to said bar, said lpull rod beingoffset and said push rod passing through an aperture in the offset ofsaid pull rod.

18. In a knitting machine: a longitudinally reciprocating andtransversely moving racking bar with thread guides; a racking lever; apattern wheel shaft having pattern wheels for positively swinging saidlever in two directions; rollers on said lever engaging said patternwheels. one roller engaging one of said pattern wheels at one side ofthe axis of said shaft and the other roller engaging the other patternwheel at the other side of the axis of said shaft; means for adjustingthe position of the rollers on said lever to center the thread guidesbetween the knitting needles of the machine; and a push-pull connectionbetween said lever and said racking bar.

19. In a knitting machine: a longitudinally reciprocating andtransversely moving racking bar carrying thread guides; a racking lever;a pattern wheel shaft having pattern wheels for positively swinging saidlever in two directions; rollers on said lever engaging said patternwheels; means for adjusting the position of the rollers on said lever tocenter the thread guides carried by the racking bar between the knittingneedles of the machine; and a lpush-pull connection between said leverand said racking bar, said push-pull connection comprising a pull rodpivoted at one of its ends to said lever and at its other end to saidracking bar, and a push rod engaging said lever at a point above thepivotal connection of the pull rod to said lever and engaging saidracking bar at a point below the pivotal connection of the pull rod tosaid bar.

20. In a, knitting machine: a longitudinally reciprocating andtransversely moving racking bar carrying vthread guides; a rackinglever; a pattern Wheel shaft having pattern wheels for positivelyswinging said lever in two directions; rollers on said lever engagingsaid pattern wheels; means for adjusting the positions of said rollerson said lever to center the thread guides between the knitting needlesof the machine; and a Ipushpull connection comprising a pull rod pivotedat one of its ends to said lever and at its other end to said rackingbar, and a push rod engaging said lever at a point above the pivotalconnection of the pull rod to said lever and engaging said racking barat a point below the `pivotal connection of the pull rod to said bar,said pull rod being oiset and said push rod passing through an aperturein the offset of said pull rod.

2l. In a knitting machine employing a, reciprocatable thread guidecarrier bar, the improvement which includes: a racking lever having ayoke; a push-pull connection between said carrier bar and said lever;two intergeared shafts, one

REFERENCES CITED` The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,431,828 Markman Oct. 10, 19222,170,697 Richter Mar. 18, 1938 660,058 Drew Oct. 16, 1900 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 479,207 Great Britain Feb. 2, 1938

